Should there be a curfew for under 18's to reduce crime?

[elephant29]

As the title says really. Just wondered what your thoughts were on this.

xxx

 

[Nibblenic]

What percentage of under 18 are comitting crime?
What about the under 18 year old who are working evening to support themselves?
What about the large maroity of under 18s who are not doing anything wrong?
What kinda curfew are you talking 7,8,9,10,11pm

It isnt for sociaety to police our 18s they are the responisbiility of thier parents. Not us, the poilce or thier teachers.

I believe some under 18s should be locked in a cage until they can be tammed as some Ive seen arent far from animals. However they are the minority

You cannot essentialy punish a rare few. Who lets face it if they are breaking the law anyway are going to break a curfew.

I always had a curfew as a child that was enforced by my mum. I can count on one hand how many times I broke that and it was always circumstances beyond my control. Some of these kids simply do not care. However I think that is due to many influences which could be impossible to change

 

[Lightworker]

What percentage of the total amount of crime is caused by under-18s and what type of crime is it? ie is it crime that will be reduced if a curfew came into force? It needs to be a sufficiently significant figure to justify the number of police officers needed to enforce it. Id hate to think of cops patroling the streets checking that everyones in bed whilst so many much more serious crimes could be prevented and/or go unsolved.

 

[moomin_troll]

i see more over 18 "thugs" on the street causing trouble then i do under 18. round where i grew up u get groups of lads hanging outside the local shop and they are all 26 and total wastes of space!

so no i dont believe a curfew for under 18s would make much difference to the level of crime in alot of areas

 

[Freya]

Nibblenic: I completely agree!

I work with young offenders. It most certainly shouldn't be up to society to 'police' the anti social behaviours but for parents to step up and parent! I can't even tell you how poor some of the parenting is that I come across.

No, I don't feel curfews should be bought in. They wont work, especially for the under 18's that you would want to target. Curfews would need family support.....

Then consequences need to be thought about, what will be the consequence of breaking curfew? Financial? Perhaps but will fall to parents, some of whom can't afford it. Otherwise there will be legal penalties which will criminalise young people before they've even begun in the world. An added factor is that curfews already exist as part of some bail conditions for young people, which are very hard for the police to check on as it is.

 

[moomin_troll]

my mum would of gone nuts if i hung around the streets doing no good and yet she lets my 16 yr old sister get away with it, and when she breaks the rules she is "grounded" for afew days and thats it! my mums got lazy with her parenting.

i do agree parenting has alot to do with how a child acts as they grow up

 

[Rhio92]

Completely wrong You can't punish people before they've commited a crime! It'l turn into a self fulfilling prophecy, and things willjust get worse x

 

[cleckner04]

My town and all the towns closeby growing up DID have a curfew for under 18s. I think it was 10 pm everyone had to be off the streets. Honestly, why would kids be out any later than that in the first place? But I do think if a kid is gonna get in trouble, they'll do it regardless of the rules.

 

[Blah11]

I don't think it's a bad idea tbh but maybe for under 16s as an under 16 has no reason to be out after 10 or so as they dont work and have school to attend. TBH I just wish the parents wouldnt let their children out so late. I live in a culdesac and every summer theres a group of 5 boys who play football in the car spaces. Its so annoying but thankfully amelies bedroom is at the back of the house or they ball hitting the wall would wake her. I dont think little kids under the age of 10 should really be out in the streets after 8pm

 

[Nibblenic]

Im oftern suprised how late kids are out. Sometimes Im off to bed, which tbf is early like 10ish and theres still kids playing outside!
My curfew before 16 was 9pm

 

[lesleyann]

i dont see why 18year olds should have a curfew they are old enough to do everything in the UK and are classed as adults. However 16year olds and under have no need to be out to late since they have to go to school the next morning and cannot be working nights and should not be able to get into clubs ect. However who would enforce this ? since obv the parents are not making them come in, in the first place?

 

[Laura2919]

I have never been a fan of kids being allowed to play out until 10pm sometimes later. I was always made to come in at around 9pm and this is what I will do for my girls but I wouldnt put a curfew down because thats saying all under 18's are troublemakers and some arent. Where I am from its some of the parents that need a curfew more than the children. I like all the kids playing out the front where I am cos all the parents come out and we all get to chat while the kids have a play about but as soon as 6.30/7pm comes I want my girls indoors for a bath and bed. I live down a little pathway there is a row of 4 houses on each side and the kids stay out there are play football or with their dolls. Thats why I love the summer.

 

[elephant29]

Youth crime (Scotland)

Just as an example (couldnt find anything more up to date) in 2005 there were 16,461 violent crimes committed in Scotland, 42% of these were committed by younge people accounting for 6957.

I actually think that we couldnt enforce a curfew as of course there are YP who do not commit crimes, who work after certain hours, who visit family, who basically have a life.

A lot of people are so scared of young people in todays society. I work with teenage girls in a secure setting and believe that they need guidance, understanding and sometimes just someone to listen.

xxx

 

[Nic1107]

Wisconsin curfew laws (it says Menomonee Falls because I took this from the town's website, but it's the state-wide law):

Curfew Law
It is unlawful for any person under the age of 17 to congregate, loiter, wander, stroll, stand, or play in or upon any public place within the Village of Menomonee Falls either on foot or in a vehicle being driven or parked between the hours of 11:00 pm and 5:00 am, unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The provisions of this subsection shall not apply in the following instances:

* When the minor is upon an emergency errand directed by such minor's parent or guardian or other appropriate adult person.
* When the minor is returning directly home from a school activity, entertainment, recreational activity or dance.
* When the minor is returning directly home from lawful employment that makes it necessary to be in the places referenced in this section during the prescribed period of time.
* When the minor is attending or traveling directly to or from an activity involving the exercise of First Amendment rights of free speech, freedom of assembly or free exercise of religion.
* When the minor is engaged in interstate travel with the consent of parent, guardian or other appropriate adult.

If we got caught walking around outside after 11 pm, we would get a citation and a fine. The kids I hung around with in high school weren't trouble-makers, but to be honest there was very little teen crime in my neighborhood- most of the crimes late at night were by adult perpetrators, especially coming home from the bars/pubs. I think it really depends on the neighborhood, but there was a curfew out in the rural area where my parents live now too and it didn't stop all the vandalism and illegal activities the kids out there were doing.

 

[summer rain]

I do think that under 16s should have a curfew unless they are going somewhere legit with their parents. In this area at least most of the vandalism and low level crime is committed by under-16s, I have reported the perpetrators as have many others but all the police do is come and chat with them! It's beyond a joke. Not to mention the number of times OH has nearly been killed by 10 year olds out at 1am on their own who think it's funny to throw bricks at his bus